State v. Prado

¶1 Washington State’s requirement that automobile drivers remain within a single lane of travel “as nearly as practicable” does not impose strict liability.1 A vehicle crossing over a lane once for one second by two tire widths does not, without more, constitute a traffic violation justifying a stop by a police officer. We affirm the superior court’s RALJ decision.

FACTS

¶2 Benjamin Tonelli Prado was stopped in May 2004 as he exited Interstate 5 at James Street. A police officer observed Tonelli Prado’s car cross an eight-inch white line dividing the exit lane from the adjacent lane by…